Definition of foundress in English:

noun

There is evidence that pedicels of ovaries containing wasps grow more than those that do not, but pedicel length at wasp maturity is probably still a good indicator of ovary position when foundresses oviposit.

Nests become social if a second foundress successfully usurps the nest with the original foundress remaining in the nest as a nonreproductive guard (if she leaves, the nest remains solitary).

Investment preservation may also increase with the number of foundresses remaining on a colony, because of the increased likelihood that a foundress will be present to preserve past investments.